Atlético Madrid v Real Mallorca

La Liga, Jornada #8
Sunday 23rd October 2011, 5pm kick off BST

It’s been a quiet week by Mallorca’s standards. This is a club which has, in recent times, become used negative headlines about their conduct off the field rather than on it. But for once, a quiet week in the press. Or Spain’s press at least.

Hitting the back pages of Danish newspapers, in fierce defence of the now departed Michael Laudrup, was ‘proof’ of receipts for advertisements in Tomeu Maura’s blog from Serra Ferrer. Those advertisements being scathing articles of Laudrup by Maura, one of the Dane’s biggest detractors, to turn the island population against the Head Coach.

This has gone unreported in Spain, who instead only focussed on the supporters federation’s keen dislike towards Biel Cerdà after comments he made about former local-TV chief and current CEO Pedro Terrasa. It’s one big, intertwining, political web. One which is best kept as far away from the team itself as possible.

A positive second half display against Valencia saw Mallorca earn themselves a point, albeit in the dying moments of the game from the penalty spot. It was encouragement for Caparrós and the Mallorca faithful, but nothing for which they would expect anything from Atlético Madrid in the capital.

But all is not lost. In true Atleti style, they have had an indifferent start to the league. They endured a frustrating 0-0 opening day draw at home against Osasuna before being beat by Valencia at the Mestalla the next jornada. But two convincing 4-0 home victories against Racing and Sporting made people believe they were starting to settle.

Whilst the manner of the 5-0 defeat to Barça was disappointing, a point against Sevilla isn’t a bad result. The 0-0 draw with Granada suggested all is not too well just yet, however.

The good news for Atlético is that Arda Turan, Silvio and Salvio should all be fit to play. And Manzano has said, despite Falcao’s injury, he will at least have a place on the bench.

Mallorca will be without Gianni Zuiverloon after his injury in the Valencia game. Pau Cendrós is likely to replace him. Striker Víctor Casadesús also misses out and is replaced in the squad by B team striker Álvaro Giménez, who has been given the number 30 shirt. Pep Martí also misses out.

There are two interesting questions posed for Caparrós tactics. He opted for 4-4-2 in the home match against Valencia, but will he go for the more defensively tight 4-2-3-1 in the Vicente Calderón? And if he does opt for 4-4-2, who will partner Hemed? Will it be B team striker Álvaro, or will Nsue or Alfaro take the role?

Aouate

Cendrós – Ramis – Chico – Bigas

Nsue – Tejera – Pina – Castro

Alfaro

Hemed

Squad

Goalkeepers: Aouate, Calatyud.
Defenders: Bigas, Ramis, Chico, Cendrós, Martí Crespí.
Midfielders: João Victor, Pina, Tejera, Pereira, Nsue, Alfaro, Castro, Aki, Tissone.
Strikers: Hemed, Álvaro.